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Turner praise for Pools progress

Chris Turner is approaching his first anniversary back in charge of Pools

Hartlepool United director of sport Chris Turner believes his side are beginning to show signs of gelling after a mixed start to the season.

Adam Boyd's late winner against Orient on Saturday has helped Pools rise to ninth in the table after a five-game unbeaten League One run.

And Turner predicted to BBC Tees: "We will get better as the weeks go on.

"We brought in a brand new squad and over the last number of weeks we have shown that promise and progression."

After bringing in seven new signings in the summer, Pools have now settled into a decent level of consistency, constructed around their solid defence.

Although they embarrassingly bowed out of the FA Cup at home to non-league Kettering a week earlier, Saturday's clean sheet was the fourth they have enjoyed in five league matches.

In fact, they have conceded just 17 goals in 16 league games this season.

By contrast, they have struggled to put the ball in the net at the other end of the field, having scored just 19 in the league. But Turner insists that his side are yet to enjoy a slice of fortune in front of goal.

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"We've just got to keep on doing what we're doing," he said. "I sense fluidity in the team performance is getting better and we've got an excellent back four and goalkeeper.

"It's just going forward where not too much has fallen for us in the penalty box in the last few games.

"We've created a lot - for instance when the Orient centre half headed the ball and Colin Larkin gambled, and in one touch beat the keeper but the ball went wide.

"When things are really going for you, that goes in the back of the net."

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